Exeter v Leeds: Teams

Exeter head coach Rob Baxter makes four changes to his starting line-up for the visit of former Championship One rivals Leeds.

The Yorkshire outfit claimed a league double over their rivals on the way to regaining Premiership status in 2008/09, but the Chiefs have made the better start to the campaign and have won their last three league and cup games.

However, Baxter is able to call on Bryan Rennie, Andrew Higgins, James Scaysbrook and Chris Budgen after they missed last week's LV= Cup match against the Blues through injury.

On the bench Chad Slade is also back as he was not picked by Samoa for their international against England at Twickenham.

He will be joined by Kiwi newcomer Jason Shoemark, who will make his Premiership debut should he be called upon at any stage.

"With this being our first season in the Premiership I can understand if there was a little distraction at the back of the players' mind that 'next week we've got Leeds and that's a very important game for us'," Baxter said following last week's 23-23 draw in Cardiff.

Tough game

"As long as that's our mentality and the reason for us being a little off last Friday was because this game was looming around the corner then that's not necessarily a negative for us.

"We know it's going to be a tough game on Saturday. We know Leeds are targeting this game almost as a must-win for them.

"For us it's about hitting the pitch in the right physical condition, but also getting the mentality of how we want to play right. We've got to go out there and play like it's a do or die, must win game for us. If we get that mentality right everything else will look after itself."

Leeds will be looking to earn their first win of the Aviva Premiership season when they travel to Sandy Park.

Leeds have played at the venue on two previous visits in the old National Division One and been victorious on both occasions.

Four years ago a try from Rhys Oakley helped them to a 35-21 victory whilst back in 2008, Leeds won by the narrowest margin in a 14-13 success.

Six of the players who were involved in that game will be in the side that travels to Exeter on Saturday.

In the backs Scott Mathie and Scott Barrow, who scored a crucial try two years ago, return whilst Tom Denton and Oakley will be on familiar ground in the forwards.

Danny Paul and Leigh Hinton take their place on the bench.

Challenge

Head coach Neil Back is looking forward to taking his side back to the West Country.

"Unlike most teams in the Premiership we have obviously played at Sandy Park, so it will not come as a shock to our guys," said the former England flanker.

"We have to make sure that we arrive there with the right mentality and ready to take them on.

"It is a sizeable challenge, but we will be going there aiming to get our first win of the Premiership season.

"I think Exeter have done an outstanding job so far this season, but that has not surprised me.

"They obviously concentrate on getting the basics right of the game, which is key to any successful team, and they have shown that they deserve their place in the Premiership."

Exeter: 15 Luke Arscott, 14 Andrew Higgins, 13 Phil Dollman, 12 Bryan Rennie, 11 Mark Foster, 10 Ryan Davis, 9 Haydn Thomas, 8 Richard Baxter, 7 James Scaysbrook, 6 Tom Johnson, 5 James Hanks, 4 Tom Hayes (capt), 3 Chris Budgen, 2 Simon Alcott, 1 Brett Sturgess.
Replacements: 16 Chris Whitehead, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Hoani Tui, 19 Dave Gannon, 20 Chad Slade, 21 Garrick Cowley, 22 Ignacio Mieres, 23 Jason Shoemark.

Leeds Carnegie: 15 Michael Stephenson, 14 Lee Blackett, 13 Henry Fa'afili, 12 Scott Barrow, 11 Peter Wackett, 10 Ceiron Thomas, 9 Scott Mathie, 8 Daniel Brown, 7 Rhys Oakley, 6 Kearnan Myall, 5 Marco Wentzel (c), 4 Tom Denton, 3 Juan Gomez, 2 Phil Nilsen. 1 Gareth Hardy.
Replacements: 16 James Parkes, 17 Miguel Alonso, 18 Phil Swainston, 19 Danny Paul, 20 Alfie To'oala, 21 Warren Fury, 22 Lachlan MacKay, 23 Leigh Hinton.